A representative of a community-based, non-government, organizations in Zambia signs an agreement to receive a grant from USAID and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Joining in the ceremony are Kathleen Poer, Chief of Party of the Zambia Integrated Systems Strengthening Program (ZISSP) and Ministry of Health acting permanent secretary Welani Chilengwe.
Eleven community-based, non-government, health care-focused organizations in Zambia are expected to reach many new people thanks to more than $838,000 in grants from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
The awardees, announced in November, were selected by the Zambian government with the assistance of the USAID-funded, Abt Associates-led Zambia Integrated Systems Strengthening Program (ZISSP). ZISSP worked in close collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Health on the grant selection process.
The 11 grantees are:
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Child Fund Zambia
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Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia
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Community Integrated Health Education Project
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Groups Focused Consultations
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Keepers Zambia Foundation
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Diocese of Mpika Home Based Care Program
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Kalomo Mumuni Center
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Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS Mwinilunga Chapter
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Serenje Pastors Fellowship
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Sinazongwe World Vision Area Development Programme
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Thandizani Community Based HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
Zambia is under pressure to reduce its disease burden and improve health service delivery, Ministry of Health acting permanent secretary Welani Chilengwe told the Zambia Daily Mail. The grants, part of $US 3.14 million to be awarded through ZISSP, will relieve some of this pressure, Chilengwe said.
Kathleen Poer, ZISSP Chief of Party, said that ZISSP ultimately is helping the ministry improve its capacity in grant management and the breadth and depth of services available to Zambians.
“This aligns with ZISSP, which is strengthening the country’s health system through programs that address critical health issues,” Poer said.
The grant selection process was highly competitive – 182 organizations applied for the grants, Poer said.
“Our hope is that these (organizations) will reach people we have not yet been able to support,” USAID Health Team Leader Sangita Patel told the Zambia Daily Mail. The 11 awardees are expected to use the funding to address similar issues as ZISSP, including maternal health, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and family planning. Many of the recipient organizations are located in rural, difficult-to-reach parts of Zambia.
ZISSP will coach the grant recipients as needed on financial management, reporting requirements, and behavior-change communication work. The recipients already have a track record of managing grant funds and completing similar work.